The Metamorphosis | The Reality of Unreality

In the following essay, Hollan identifies a balance between unreal and realist elements in "The Metamorphosis," finding that in many cases Kafka has "charged a specific realistic element of the story with a specific non-realistic or spiritual value.''

In the following essay, Hollan identifies a balance between unreal and realist elements in "The Metamorphosis, "finding that in many cases Kafka has "charged a specific realistic element of the story with a specific non-realistic or spiritual value.''

In allegory, symbolism, and surrealism—the three genres are in this respect, at least, indistinguishable—the writer mixes unrealistic elements into a realistic situation. Thus, Kafka, in "Metamorphosis," puts into the realistic, prosaic environment of the Samsa household a situation that is, to put it mildly, unrealistic:...

[The entire page is 3767 words long]

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

eNotes Pass

Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...